Assessment of the total chromium absorption capability of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) in water

Date

4-2014

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Teofila DC. Villar

Restrictions

Restricted: Not available to the general public. Access is available only after consultation with author/thesis adviser and only to those bound by the confidentiality agreement.

Abstract

Absorption capacity of Ipomoea aquatica, also known as water spinach or locally as ?kangkong?, in absorbing chromium from an aquatic medium was conducted in this study. The working concentration of water spinach was determined through subjecting the plant into different concentrations of Cr solution for 48 hours. The absorption capacity of the Ipomoea aquatica was done to determine how long the plant can withstand the working concentration. The monitoring of the absorption capacity of the plant lasted for 21 days wherein samples were immersed in a container with 35 mg Cr/L and was harvested with an interval of three days. The measurement of Cr in water and plant samples was done using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. As time progresses, the Cr contents measured from the plant increases and the recovered Cr from the aerial part of water spinach were higher than that of the roots. In addition, water spinach demonstrated a good accumulation reaction with Cr in its medium. The BCF obtained increases as time progresses and has the highest value on 15th day. Also, the TF of Ipomoea aquatica was observed to have increasing value as time progresses. Based from the results obtained, I. aquatica is a hyperaccumulator making it useful for absorption of heavy metals in polluted areas especially for uptaking of Cr. This implies that water spinach may not be fit for human consumption if this plant is grown on contaminated areas.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2014 C42 /E34

Document Type

Thesis

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS